Things to Do in Hilton Head Island, SC: Coastal Discovery Museum

[Coastal Discovery Museum]

The Coastal Discovery Museum was established in 1985, and since then it has moved to several different locations before finally settling in 2007 on Hilton Head Island at a location called Honey Horn. The site stretches across 68 acres of land and is the location of some of the island's oldest and most treasured buildings.

The mission of the Coastal Discovery Museum is to inspire its visitors, teaching them the knowledge on how to care for their environment and providing people with a better understanding of how to create a sustainable future.

The museum offers many walking tours, activities, and programs that follow vast trails, taking you on a journey through different environments, breathtaking landscapes, and historic structures. Your visit will begin at Discovery House, one of Honey Horn's historic buildings, built in 1859. There are several exhibitions within this building that explore the history of the Lowcountry. You may also want to pick up a map of the site at Discovery House, as beyond this building the trail begins.

Investigate the island’s wide range of different habitats and get the chance to watch birds at the lagoons, in the forest, and in the salt marsh, although it depends on the time of the year as what you might see changes with the seasons. You can take the nature tour across the local beaches and learn all about the many different creatures that inhabit the coastal line of the island. You may even be lucky enough to come face to face with creatures, such as the fascinating horseshoe crab, beautiful shorebirds or, if you are really lucky, sea turtles.

The grounds are home to a large variety of trees, including the largest red cedar tree in the state of South Carolina. The tree dates all the way back to approximately 1595. Other trees you can expect to see include giant live oak trees, Southern magnolias, bald cypress, dogwood, and toothache trees. More information on several of these trees can be found all over the site.

The Smithsonian Institution recognised the Coastal Discovery Museum as a part of its Affiliations division in 2015. This partnership better equips the museum with resources to engage and enrich its community.

With so much to explore, learn, and experience, the Coastal Discovery Museum is a fantastic fun-filled adventure for the whole family to enjoy.

Opening Hours

Open from 9:00am to 4:30pm, Monday to Saturday, and on Sundays from 11:00am to 3:00pm.

Admission/Membership

Suggested donation for each visitor is $5. Prices for tours and activities may vary.

Membership starts at $50 and gives you a discount at the gift shop as well as on walks, talks, and forums.